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Fishing activity this past week centered on inshore species, among which the most active were sheepshead, trout and spottail bass.

Most action came from shell banks and oyster beds, while main feeder creeks with drops and tapered bottoms also proved productive. Trout hit best along the drops and tapered reaches, working artificials.

Bass, on the other hand, preferred ambush tactics. Although the schools were large and the water clear, locating them proved to be a chore.

Fly fishermen did well with deceivers in silver/white and chartreuse, while conventional and spinning enthusiasts fared better with gulp baits and mud minnows. A slow retrieve pulled to the edge of drops and allowed to slowly sink produced strong hits.

Sheepshead preferred to hold around rocks and bridge pilings for their next meal.

Stripers on the Combahee

This time last year, fishing for stripers (rockfish) along the Combahee, Ashepoo and Edisto was disappointing to say the least. This year, however, most of the activity seems to be focused between the Wimbee Creek and the Steel Bridge on Highway 17, the demarcation line between salt and freshwater.

I received a call from Jarret Robins in Charleston asking if I had any Ciscos. The large, 6-inch Cisco Kid -- red head and white body -- has been taking large stripers on a regular basis.

At one time, I made imitation wooden lures in the Cisco variety. My change to the lure was to hinge the body at midpoint and add a rattler cavity to the tail section.

Original wooden Ciscos are very rare. Retailers horde their inventory for special clients, so lure makers are in high demand.

Hog Hunts

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources, in its ongoing effort to remove and eliminate feral hogs from North Island in Georgetown County, has scheduled three hog hunts with dogs.

The two-day hunt periods (Friday-Saturday) are scheduled for February 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 from sunrise to sunset. DNR staff will be on site periodically to collect pertinent information.

For more information, contact the Yawkey Wildlife Center at 843-546-6814.

Closing Thought

Talking to the doctor last week about my surgery, I asked him if I would be home by Saturday for some fishing. He stated I should be fully recovered by then, but appeared a bit amused when he said "barring any complications."

When I was in recovery, the nurse asked me how I was feeling. I told her I was concerned about the words the doctor said just before I wandered off into La-La Land.

"What did he say?" she asked.

I replied, "It was just a four-letter word that has me on edge: Oops."